Japan is a fascinating country that blends completely contradictory worlds and never stops amazing travellers. On one side you’ll be swept up in neon lights, robots and super-fast trains, while just a few streets away you’ll stumble upon quiet zen gardens and ancient wooden temples.
Planning a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun can seem a little intimidating at first, especially because of the different culture and the sheer number of places to see. But once you know what to expect, you’ll find it’s an incredibly safe, clean and superbly organised destination.
In this guide you’ll find exactly 21 tips for the most beautiful places to visit in Japan that you shouldn’t miss in 2026. Together we’ll look at how transport works, what to watch out for when hunting down accommodation, and how to enjoy the trip without any unnecessary stress.
TL;DR
- Best time to visit: Spring for the cherry blossoms (late March to early April) or autumn for the colourful maples (November).
- Transport and trains: The shinkansen bullet trains are the most comfortable, but the once-popular JR Pass often no longer makes sense for shorter trips after its price hike.
- Money and payments: Always keep cash in Japanese yen on you, as small businesses and temples often don’t take cards.
- Tourist visas: UK citizens can enter visa-free for 90 days, and the much-talked-about JESTA system hasn’t launched yet.
- Etiquette is key: Get ready to take your shoes off often, no phone calls on public transport and strict rules in the traditional baths.
- Accommodation: Try at least one night in a traditional ryokan with a futon and hot springs.
- Vegetarian diet: Watch out for the fish stock dashi, which is added to almost everything in Japan.
When to Travel to Japan
Japan’s weather changes dramatically with the seasons, so getting your timing right is absolutely crucial. Spring is understandably the most popular, when the famous cherry blossoms bloom, usually falling around the turn of March and April.
If you want to see Tokyo or Kyoto buried under a blanket of pink flowers, be prepared for the fact that this is by far the most expensive part of the year. The general window for full bloom is around 29 March to 7 April, but you’ll need to book accommodation for these dates as much as twelve months in advance.
A great and often quieter alternative is autumn, specifically November and early December, when the trees turn deep shades of red, known as momiji. The autumn weather tends to be more stable, it rains less, and timing the colourful foliage is far easier than with the unpredictable cherry blossoms.
Definitely try to avoid the summer months, as July and August bring extreme humidity of around 80 percent and temperatures climbing well above thirty degrees. On top of that, the rainy season tsuyu runs from June to mid-July, and typhoons threaten towards the end of summer.
Another big trap for tourists is the Japanese public holidays, which you should steer well clear of. These include the so-called Golden Week at the turn of April and May, the August Obon holiday, and the days around New Year, when the Japanese travel en masse and everything is hopelessly sold out.
Practical Information: Transport, JR Pass, Visa and Money
Flying from the UK usually takes around twelve to fourteen hours. There are direct flights from London Heathrow with airlines like Japan Airlines and British Airways, but you can often find cheaper options with one stop via the Middle East (Qatar Airways, Emirates) or via Helsinki with Finnair. Return tickets in the low season start at roughly £600–700.
There’s been a lot of confusion swirling around tourist visas lately, but for both 2026 and 2027, UK citizens can still enter visa-free for 90 days. The Japanese government has approved an electronic JESTA system, but its launch is realistically planned for 2028, so don’t be scared off by misinformation online.
Getting around the country is a fascinating experience thanks to the shinkansen bullet trains, which race along at up to 320 kilometres per hour. The journey from Tokyo to Kyoto takes just over two hours on the fastest Nozomi service, and a one-way ticket costs roughly 14,000 JPY (about £75).
If you’re planning to travel a lot, you may have heard of the legendary JR Pass, but be very careful. This tourist ticket has become massively more expensive, and in 2026 a seven-day pass costs 50,000 JPY (from October even 53,000 JPY), so if you’re only doing the Tokyo to Kyoto route, it absolutely won’t pay off.
For getting around cities, set up a digital Suica card straight after you land, which you can easily add to Apple Pay. You then just tap it at the metro turnstiles or use it to pay in shops, saving you an incredible amount of time buying paper tickets.
As for driving, keep in mind that a standard UK International Driving Permit isn’t automatically enough — Japan only recognises IDPs issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Fortunately, that’s exactly the type UK drivers can get from the Post Office before departure, so make sure you pick up the right one.
A big local quirk is the relationship with money, because Japan is still very much cash-dependent, even though the situation is slowly improving. You can pay by card in supermarkets and hotels, but smaller family-run restaurants or temple entrances require hard cash, which you can easily withdraw from ATMs in the 7-Eleven network.
Food can be tricky for vegetarians and vegans, because the fish stock dashi lurks almost everywhere. It’s added to miso soups, sauces and noodles, so always look for dedicated vegan restaurants — the T’s Tantan chain at Tokyo’s train stations serves excellent vegan ramen, for example. Local specialities like sushi or wagyu beef are of course only for the “carnivores”; vegetarians should try the Buddhist temple cuisine shojin ryori instead.
Stay connected to the internet at all times, ideally through an eSIM card you can pick up for a few pounds before you even leave home — a service like Holafly is perfect for this. Without Google Maps and a translator you’ll get lost in Japan, because English really isn’t a strong point here and the signage in smaller alleys is often only in Japanese characters.
Finally, don’t forget the local etiquette, which strictly forbids tipping in restaurants. There’s absolute silence on public transport, it’s rude to blow your nose in public, and you must always take off your shoes before entering traditional rooms or temples.
Where to Stay in Japan
💡 Accommodation and experiences tip: We love searching for places to stay on Booking.com, which usually has the best cancellation terms. For tickets, tours and activities, it’s worth comparing and booking through GetYourGuide.
Accommodation in Japan is a big experience in itself, and it’s well worth mixing up different types. For at least one or two nights, book a traditional Japanese inn called a ryokan, where you’ll sleep on a futon mattress laid directly on tatami straw mats.
These traditional inns often have their own onsen hot springs, where you go to relax after a full day of walking. Just bear in mind that most public baths have a strict ban on entry with tattoos, so if you’ve got inked skin, look for accommodation with a private bath in the room.
For budget travellers or sci-fi lovers, the so-called capsule hotels are ideal, where you literally rent just a bed in the wall. They’re extremely clean, modern places with amazing facilities — a highly rated option is Nine Hours Narita Airport right by the airport, or branches of the same chain in Tokyo.
You’ll probably spend most of your time in classic business hotels, which offer small but perfectly efficient rooms. A great choice is the well-known APA Hotels chain, or the popular Hotel Gracery Shinjuku in Tokyo, with a giant Godzilla head peeking out of it and a location right in the heart of the action.
An utterly unique experience is staying in a Buddhist temple, known as shukubo, especially in the sacred region of Koya-san. The Shukubo Koya-san Eko-in monastery offers beautiful lodging, where you can join the morning meditations and be served perfect vegan meals. I’d recommend booking traditional accommodation through Booking well in advance.
21 Best Places to Visit in Japan
Let’s take a look at the most important things this Asian gem has to offer. You’ll find a perfect mix of pulsating megacities and quiet corners where time has stood still.
1. Tokyo and the Crazy Shibuya Crossing
This is exactly the spot you know from every film about Tokyo. At the famous Shibuya crossing, thousands of people set off from all directions at once when the light goes green, creating a fascinating yet perfectly functioning chaos.
Right by the crossing you’ll find the touching statue of the dog Hachikō, who waited here for years for his deceased owner. It’s probably the most popular meeting spot in the whole city, so there’s always a huge crowd of tourists and locals.
💡 Tip: The best view of this madness from above is from the Shibuya Sky observation deck, but you’ll need to buy tickets online, potentially weeks in advance.
2. Neon Lights and Nightlife in Shinjuku
If you’re after the real, flashing Tokyo, head to Shinjuku after dark. You’ll find an endless number of neon signs, pachinko arcades and giant screens with 3D animations.
A huge highlight is a stroll through the Golden Gai alleys, where hundreds of miniature bars are crammed together, some fitting just five guests. A few are locals-only, but many will happily let you in for an unbelievable atmosphere.
During the day you can unwind here in the gorgeous Shinjuku Gyoen park, a huge green oasis in the middle of the skyscrapers and one of the best spots for watching the spring blossoms.
3. Traditional Atmosphere in the Asakusa District
Tokyo isn’t just a modern jungle, which the historic Asakusa district proves best. Its centrepiece is the beautiful Buddhist temple Senso-ji, which you reach through an enormous gate with a giant red lantern.
The path to the temple is lined by the long Nakamise shopping street, full of stalls selling traditional souvenirs and local street food. It’s a great place to buy gifts or sample mochi rice cakes.
💡 Tip: Definitely pay for the omikuji fortune-telling here for 100 JPY, and if you draw a bad fortune, simply tie the slip of paper to the racks provided so the bad luck stays at the temple.
4. Wild Pop Culture in Akihabara and Harajuku
For fans of anime, manga and video games, the Akihabara district is an absolute paradise. You’ll see giant multi-storey arcades, shops packed with collectible figures, and girls on the streets luring you into the so-called maid cafés.
A completely different kind of madness awaits in Harajuku, specifically the colourful Takeshita Street, where Tokyo’s youth gather in the most extravagant fashion creations.
Here you’ll buy giant candy floss, crêpes stuffed with whipped cream and fruit, or the cutest clothing you can imagine. Just next door lies the luxury boulevard Omotesando, nicknamed the Champs-Élysées of Tokyo.
5. Kyoto and the Thousands of Red Gates at Fushimi Inari
Kyoto is the cultural heart of the country, and the Fushimi Inari shrine is one of the most photographed places in the world. Here you’ll find thousands of iconic red torii gates forming tunnels that climb high up a forested hill.
Entry to the grounds is completely free and open around the clock, which you should definitely take advantage of. If you come during the day, be prepared for unbearable crowds.
💡 Tip: Come here ideally around six in the morning, when you’ll have the mysterious fox statues and red gates almost to yourself. The higher up the hill you climb, the fewer tourists you’ll meet.
6. The Golden Pavilion Kinkaku-ji
This temple looks like it fell straight out of a fairy tale. The two upper floors of Kinkaku-ji are completely covered in gold leaf, which reflects beautifully in the surface of the adjacent pond on sunny days.
A ticket into the grounds costs 500 JPY, but sadly you can’t go inside the pavilion itself. You can only admire it from the outside while strolling through the beautifully maintained zen gardens.
Because of its fame, be prepared to be constantly jostled by hundreds of tourists, so arm yourself with patience and try to arrive right at opening time.
7. The Bamboo Grove in the Arashiyama Area
On the western edge of Kyoto lies a natural wonder you mustn’t miss. A walk through the towering bamboo grove in Arashiyama is an incredibly calming experience, especially when the wind blows and the stalks knock against each other.
This natural gem is also open to the public for free, but it suffers from the onslaught of visitors. Once you’ve taken your photos, explore the surrounding lanes full of traditional shops too.
Right next to the grove I recommend visiting the beautiful Tenryu-ji temple, a UNESCO-listed site with one of the loveliest traditional gardens in all of Kyoto.
8. Historic Gion Lanes and the Kiyomizu-dera Temple
The Gion district is known around the world as the home of Kyoto’s geisha and maiko, whom you can occasionally spot hurrying to tea houses. Please respect their privacy and don’t photograph them up close — because of unruly tourists, the city has already closed some lanes to the public.
From Gion, a slow walk through the historic Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka lanes takes you all the way to the magnificent Kiyomizu-dera temple, built on tall wooden pillars.
From its terrace there’s an amazing view over the whole of Kyoto, for which you’ll pay 500 JPY admission. Below the terrace flows the Otawa spring, from whose three streams you can drink for luck, longevity or success in your studies.
9. Osaka and the Majestic Osaka Castle
While Kyoto is calm and traditional, neighbouring Osaka is its wild, chatty opposite. The city’s biggest historic landmark is the gorgeous Osaka Castle, which towers over a sprawling park full of cherry trees and defensive moats.
The castle itself is a modern concrete reconstruction inside with a museum, but from the outside it looks absolutely imposing. Since 2025 the admission to the tower has gone up, so an adult ticket now costs 1,200 JPY.
💡 Tip: Tickets and various sightseeing cruises in Osaka can be very conveniently bought in advance through GetYourGuide, which saves you long queues at the ticket offices.
10. Neon Madness in the Dotonbori District
Osaka is affectionately nicknamed the kitchen of Japan, and the main hub of all the action is around the Dotonbori canal. After dark, this place literally explodes with neon colours, led by the famous glowing Glico Man runner.
The streets are lined with restaurants sporting giant mechanical crabs or octopuses on their façades. Osaka is famous for its kuidaore culture, which loosely translates as “eat until you drop”.
Right on the street you have to try the famous takoyaki balls (which do contain pieces of octopus) or the fantastic okonomiyaki cabbage pancakes, which the cooks fry right before your eyes.
11. Nara and the Sacred Bowing Deer
The little town of Nara lies just a short train ride from Osaka and is an absolutely ideal destination for a day trip. The main draw is the huge park full of sacred sika deer, over twelve hundred of which roam freely here.
The animals are incredibly cheeky and used to people. At the local stalls you can buy special senbei crackers for 200 JPY, and the moment you pull them out, the deer will immediately surround you and literally bow to get a treat.
Besides the animals, don’t miss the imposing wooden Todai-ji temple in Nara, with an admission of 800 JPY. Inside sits a fifteen-metre-tall bronze statue of the Great Buddha that will take your breath away.
12. Hiroshima and the Legacy of a Dark History
Visiting Hiroshima is an immensely emotional and powerful experience that everyone should try. In the city centre stands the ominous Atomic Dome, one of the few buildings that partially survived the atomic bomb blast and now serves as a chilling reminder.
Right next to it you’ll find the sprawling Peace Park and the fantastic Peace Museum with a modest admission of 200 JPY. Inside you’ll see personal belongings of the victims and photographs that will leave no one unmoved, so have your tissues ready.
Today, though, Hiroshima is a beautiful and modern city with trundling trams and wide boulevards. Definitely don’t miss the local style of okonomiyaki pancakes, which here, unlike in Osaka, are made with a layer of noodles.
13. The Floating Red Gate on Miyajima Island
From Hiroshima you can take a short ferry to Miyajima island, one of the most photogenic places in the country. Right by the shore stands the famous floating torii gate belonging to the Itsukushima shrine, both UNESCO-listed.
At high tide, the gate and part of the shrine look as if they’re really floating on the water. At low tide, on the other hand, you can walk across the muddy seabed right up to its massive wooden pillars.
Entry to the shrine itself costs a pleasant 300 JPY. Here too you’ll meet freely roaming deer, but unlike in Nara, feeding them is strictly forbidden.
14. Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko
For many people, seeing the iconic snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji is the main reason for the trip. The best views are offered by the Fuji Five Lakes area, specifically Lake Kawaguchiko, which you can reach by bus from Tokyo.
A short distance away lies the famous Chureito Pagoda with a dreamy view, where you’ll take the most iconic photo of Japan — the red five-storey pagoda, the majestic Mount Fuji behind it, and in spring, all of it framed by cherry blossoms.
Climbing the 3,776-metre mountain itself is only possible from July to mid-September. Outside this season you’ll have to settle for admiring it from afar, because the summit is covered in dangerous ice.
15. Hakone, Hot Springs and Pirate Ships
If you don’t fancy Kawaguchiko, a great alternative for Fuji views is the spa region of Hakone. It’s recommended to buy the handy Hakone Free Pass, which covers all the local transport including cable cars and mountain railways.
This area is famous for its onsen hot springs and the sulphurous Owakudani valley, where everything bubbles and reeks of rotten eggs. You can even buy eggs boiled in the sulphur water here, which have a completely black shell and supposedly extend your life.
Across the local Lake Ashi, replicas of pirate ships cruise about, which does feel like an enormous piece of kitsch, but the ride is included in the pass mentioned above, and on a clear day you’ll have a superb view of Mount Fuji from the deck.
16. Richly Decorated Shrines in Nikko
About two hours by train north of Tokyo lies the mountain town of Nikko, home to some of the most ornate temples in the country. The most important is the lavish Toshogu mausoleum, a UNESCO-listed site where the famous shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu is buried.
While most Japanese temples go for simplicity, here you won’t know where to look first thanks to the ever-present gold and vividly coloured wood carvings, including the famous three wise monkeys.
Beyond the monuments, the Nikko area lures visitors with stunning nature, especially in autumn. Head out to Lake Chuzenji and the imposing Kegon Waterfall, which plunges 97 metres down.
17. Kanazawa and the Perfect Kenrokuen Garden
On the west coast lies Kanazawa, a city that suffered no bombing during the war and has kept plenty of historic districts. Its main jewel is the breathtaking Kenrokuen garden with an admission of 320 JPY, officially ranked among the three most beautiful in Japan.
Lovers of traditional atmosphere will adore the old geisha district of Higashi Chaya, full of ancient wooden tea houses. Kanazawa is a huge centre for gold-leaf production, so you can even buy ice cream wrapped in edible gold here.
Also worth seeing is the historic Nagamachi samurai district, where you can wander through narrow lanes lined with the original earthen walls of samurai residences.
18. Takayama and the Thatched Roofs of Shirakawa-go
The little town of Takayama in the mountains of Gifu prefecture is famous for its perfectly preserved old town of Hida, where excellent sake rice wine is made. In the morning you’ll come across picturesque farmers’ markets full of local ingredients.
From here you can easily reach the famous UNESCO-protected village of Shirakawa-go by bus, which looks straight out of the Middle Ages. It’s home to dozens of unique gassho-zukuri houses with incredibly steep thatched roofs designed to withstand heavy snow.
💡 Tip: If you come here in winter, the village holds famous evening illuminations, when the snow-covered cottages are beautifully lit up. It’s a fairy tale, but you’ll need to secure a special reservation well in advance.
19. Alpine Hiking in the Japanese Alps
If you’re looking to escape the big cities and love nature, the Kamikochi valley in the Japanese Alps will completely win you over. It sits at around 1,500 metres above sea level and offers the most beautiful mountain scenery in the country.
To protect the environment, private cars are strictly banned here, so you have to leave your vehicle at a park-and-ride and take a shuttle bus. The heart of the area is the wooden Kappa-bashi bridge over the turquoise Azusa river.
The area is only open from mid-April to mid-November; in winter the roads are buried under metres of snow. You’ll find easy flat walks here as well as demanding multi-day treks across the surrounding three-thousanders.
20. The Magical Cemetery and Temples on Mount Koya-san
The sacred mountain of Koya-san is the centre of Shingon Buddhism and one of the most spiritual places you’ll visit. Its greatest pride is the enormous, mystical Okunoin cemetery, where over 200,000 moss-covered gravestones lie beneath centuries-old cedars.
As already mentioned in the accommodation section, this is exactly where you must pay for a shukubo temple stay. Not only will you see how the monks live, but you’ll also taste their precise vegan cuisine, which is a culinary art in itself.
An evening walk through the cemetery lit only by stone lanterns is incredibly mysterious, but not scary at all. In the morning you can then join the monks in a fire-burning ritual.
21. The Art Island of Naoshima
In the Seto Inland Sea lies the island of Naoshima, which has transformed into an enormous open-air gallery of modern art. You get here by ferry from the ports of Uno or Takamatsu, and the best way to explore is to rent an e-bike.
The island’s icon is the famous giant yellow polka-dot pumpkin by artist Yayoi Kusama, which sits right on the pier by the sea. Most of the museums here were designed by the brilliant Japanese architect Tadao Ando, known for his work with exposed concrete.
The absolute highlight is the underground Chichu Art Museum, lit only by natural light and displaying original works by Claude Monet. You must reserve tickets for this museum well in advance for a specific time slot.
Where to Go Next from Japan
If you want to plan out specific days in the cities in more detail, we’ve prepared separate, in-depth guides for the individual metropolises. In them you’ll find exact routes and how the sights connect to one another.
- If you’re drawn to the modern metropolis and its hidden corners, check out our article Tokyo: 25 Things to See.
- For lovers of tradition, zen gardens and temples, I recommend reading the detailed guide Kyoto: What to See.
- If you’re going for great food and neon lights, be sure to open the article Osaka and a Trip to Nara.
- For a better idea of the weather and seasons, read the detailed breakdown When to Go to Japan.
- And if you’re worried about logistics and how the trains work, the article Japan for the First Time: JR Pass and Practical Tips will help you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a vacation in Japan cost?
The budget varies greatly depending on your style. An average traveler should expect to spend 15,000 to 25,000 JPY per day (excluding flights), which covers a decent hotel, restaurant meals, and standard entrance fees. Backpackers can survive on 10,000 JPY per day if they stay in hostels and buy food at convenience stores.
Do they speak English in Japan?
The truth is that the level of English is surprisingly low even in the biggest cities and hotels. You’ll usually only manage basic communication, but there are English signs everywhere and with the help of Google Translate equipped with the text photo function, you’ll handle it just fine.
Where can I buy a SIM card or data?
The easiest and cheapest option is to use an electronic eSIM card, which you can buy through an app while still at home. Classic physical SIM cards can be purchased right at the airport in vending machines or at stands, a seven-day data package costs roughly from 5 to 15 US dollars.
Is Japan Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
Japan is one of the safest countries in the world with almost zero street crime. You can walk around the city without worry even at two in the morning, plus on trains and the metro there are special pink carriages designated exclusively for women to prevent groping during morning rush hours.
Can I go to traditional onsen hot springs if I have tattoos?
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In most public baths, there is a very strict ban on entry with tattoos, as they are historically associated with the Japanese mafia yakuza. If you only have a small tattoo, it’s often enough to cover it with a special skin-colored patch, but with large tattoos you’ll need to rent accommodation with a private kashikiri bath.
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How do konbini stores work?
Konbini (short for convenience store like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart or Lawson) are an absolute lifesaver for every tourist and are open 24 hours a day. You can buy delicious and fresh rice triangles onigiri here, hot food that they’ll heat up for you at the register, and most importantly you’ll find clean toilets and ATMs.
What is the JESTA system and do I need it?
This is a planned electronic system for visa-free entry similar to the American ESTA, but you don’t need to worry about it for 2026 or 2027. While the Japanese government has approved its creation, the actual launch for tourists will most likely not happen until around 2028.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
